NHTSA lists 11 safety recalls and 135 owner complaints for the 1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse. Most complaints involve power train (30) and structure (25). The EPA rates it 19–23 mpg combined.
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
CERTAIN AIRTEX FUEL PUMP MODULE ASSEMBLIES, P/N E7081H, SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE WALL OF THE FLARED FITTING OF THE FUEL PUMP IS NOT THICK ENOUGH TO PREVENT THE MATING THREADED FITTINGS FROM BOTTOMING OUT BEFORE AN ADEQUATE SEAL IS ACHIEVED. THIS CONDITION MAY RESULT IN LEAKAGE OF FUEL AT THE CONNECTION OF THE VEHICLE FUEL LINE AND THE FUEL PUMP MODULE ASSEMBLY.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Complaints for each Eclipse model year we’ve synced.
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 168 |
| 1997 | 164 |
| 1998 | 151 |
| 1999 | 135 |
| 2000 | 311 |
| 2001 | 300 |
| 2002 | 104 |
| 2003 | 166 |
| 2004 | 14 |
| 2005 | 6 |
| 2006 | 99 |
| 2007 | 107 |
| 2008 | 71 |
| 2009 | 42 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 8 |
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL DETACHED FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE CONTROL ARM, AXLE, AND TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 206,000.”
“APRIL 2010 WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE A 1999 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE RS HATCHBACK AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MILES PER HOUR, THE 1999 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE RS HATCHBACK SUDDENLY LOSS CONTROL AND CRASHED ONTO THE ROADWAY. I HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND THE CAR INSTANTLY LOSS USE OF CONTROL IN STEERING AND THE CAR PROCEEDED TO LEAVE THE ROAD ONTO A GRASSY MEDIAN TO MY LEFT SIDE. I DISCOVERED THE FRONT CONTROL ARM WAS LYING ON THE ROADWAY DETACHED FROM THE AXEL AND TIRE. THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL WAS WEDGED AT AN ANGLE BETWEEN THE FRAME AND THE DISASSEMBLED PARTS OF THE CAR. I HAD THE 1999 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE TOWED HOME AND REPLACED THE FAULTY PARTS WITH ANOTHER FRONT CONTROL ARM & LOWER BALL JOINT PURCHASED FROM AUTO ZONE. IN 2011, THE SAME VEHICLE A 1999 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE RS HATCHBACK LOSES CONTROL WHILE IN MOTION AT APPROXIMATELY 15 MILES PER HOUR, AS I WAS TURNING LEFT ONTO A TWO LANE STREET. THE CAR LOST STEERING CONTROL SKIDDING OFF THE ROADWAY IN THE DIRECTION ON-COMING TRAFFIC. THE FRONT CONTROL ARM WAS LYING ON THE GROUND DETACHED FROM THE FRONT DRIVER?S SIDE WHEEL. THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL WAS WEDGED BETWEEN THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE AND THE ROAD. I CONTACTED A TOWING…”
“WHILE HAVING A BASIC OIL CHANGE AT THE MITSUBISIHI/CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP WAS INFORMED OF THE HEAD GASKET LEAK. AUTOMOTIVE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE MOTORS AND A $1000 TO REPAIR.*AK”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eclipse Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, DOHC · Front-Wheel Drive | 20 | 30 | 23 | $2,800 | 386 |
| Eclipse Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo, DOHC-TC · Front-Wheel Drive | 20 | 29 | 23 | $3,450 | 386 |
| Eclipse Convertible Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 20 | 29 | 23 | $3,450 | 386 |
| Eclipse Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, DOHC, CLKUP · Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 28 | 22 | $2,900 | 404 |
| Eclipse Convertible Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 27 | 22 | $2,900 | 404 |
| Eclipse Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo, DOHC-TC · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 19 | 26 | 21 | $3,800 | 423 |
| Eclipse Convertible Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 26 | 21 | $3,050 | 423 |
| Eclipse Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo, DOHC-TC, CLKUP · Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 25 | 20 | $4,000 | 444 |
| Eclipse Convertible Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 24 | 20 | $4,000 | 444 |
| Eclipse Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo, DOHC-TC, CLKUP · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 17 | 23 | 19 | $4,200 | 468 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
11 safety recalls as of Oct 30, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 135 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (30), structure (25), engine and engine cooling (21). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse at 19–23 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (10 versions rated).